Bakkavor has become the subject of an ethical trading complaint, following months of strike action among employees at its Spalding factory.
Unite the union has made a formal complaint on behalf of its Spalding members to the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), which ensures compliance with international labour standards in the global supply chains of member companies.
Workers at the Lincolnshire factory have been on strike since September after rejecting Bakkavor’s offer of a 7.8% pay increase to its lowest-paid colleagues and 6.4% across all other grades.
In November, Bakkavor offered workers a £350 bonus to end the strike.
Despite the supply chain disruption, the manufacturer grew revenue by 4% to £2.2bn last year, with sales up 5.2% to £1.9bn in the UK.
According to Unite, Bakkavor has brought in “strike-breakers” from its other sites instead of engaging in “meaningful negotiations” with its Spalding staff.
“Bakkavor’s utter unwillingness to negotiate and to attempt to break a lawful strike has left Unite with no choice,” said Unite GM Sharon Graham.
“Not only are we telling their customers about their unethical behaviour, but we will be targeting any company that continues to do business with them,” she said.
The Grocer has approached Bakkavor for comment.
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